Michael McGrath
Question:136. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of fees charged to date by the special managers appointed to credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49309/14]
View answerCredit Unions
Questions (136)
Written answers
I have been informed by the Central Bank that the only Special Manager appointment to a credit union to date was the appointment of Luke Charlton of Ernst & Young to act as Special Manager for Newbridge Credit Union Limited.
From 13 January 2012 to 26 April 2013 a total of €1,252,142 in Special Manager fees was approved by the High Court. At an early point the hourly rate of fee payable to the Special Manager was reduced from €423 to €375, following an application by the Central Bank to the High Court on 10 February 2012, with a corresponding reduction in fees payable to his staff.
The Special Manager had not been paid any fees between 26 April 2013 and the point of transfer to ptsb on 11 November 2013. The transfer order included a Special Manger fee accrual liability for ptsb, and ptsb later discharged it. The amount invoiced for that period was €502,638, bringing the total amount paid to the Special Manager in respect of his tenure to €1,754,780.
NAMA Portfolio
Questions (137)
Michael McGrath
Question:137. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the total value of artwork, jewellery and other goods disposed of by the National Asset Management Agency to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49310/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am been advised by NAMA that it has approved disposals by debtors of non-real estate assets with an aggregate value in excess of €246m. Such assets include shares and other investments as well as artwork, jewellery, fixed assets other goods.
Deposit Guarantee Scheme
Questions (138)
Michael McGrath
Question:138. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of deposits covered by the deposit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49311/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Central Bank of Ireland is responsible for the operation of the Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS), which covers licensed credit institutions operating in the State.
The DGS covers deposits up to €100,000 per eligible depositor per credit institution. The amount of covered deposits currently stands at approximately €85bn.
Prize Bonds
Questions (139)
Michael McGrath
Question:139. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the total value of prize bonds at the end of December for each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; the total value of the prizes awarded for each of the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49312/14]
View answerWritten answers
The NTMA have advised the following in relation to the question asked by the Deputy:
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
|
Prize Bonds outstandings at end year in € million |
1,449 |
1,649 |
1,932 |
|
|
Total value of prizes awarded in € million |
42 |
46 |
35.2 |
State Savings Value
Questions (140, 141)
Michael McGrath
Question:140. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount of funds held in deposit accounts at An Post currently and at the end of each year from 2010 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49313/14]
View answerMichael McGrath
Question:141. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount of funds held in An Post saving certificates and savings bond currently and at the end of each year from 2010 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49314/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.
State Savings is the brand name used by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) to describe the range of Government savings products offered by the NTMA to personal savers. All State Savings money form part of the sovereign debt of Ireland, the repayment of which is a direct, unconditional obligation of the State. The NTMA has advised that the total value of State Savings outstanding at end year 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the breakdown by product is as follows:
|
State Savings outstanding at end year in € million |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Savings Bonds |
4,239 |
4,784 |
5,568 |
5,342 |
|
Savings Certificates |
3,957 |
4,233 |
4,791 |
6,002 |
|
Instalment Savings |
468 |
473 |
474 |
478 |
|
National Solidarity Bonds |
342 |
607 |
1,001 |
1,752 |
|
Deposit Accounts |
2,344 |
2,518 |
2,774 |
2,650 |
|
Prize Bonds |
1,330 |
1,449 |
1,649 |
1,932 |
|
TOTAL |
12,680 |
14,064 |
16,257 |
18,156 |
Income Data
Questions (142)
Michael McGrath
Question:142. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of income earners between €17,000 and €20,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49315/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that it is estimated that there will be 130,705 income earners earning between 17,000 and 20,000 in 2015.
The Deputy may wish to know that estimates for a series of income levels are published on the Commissioners' Statistics webpage at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/index.html under the Ready Reckoner section, in the "Ready Reckoner Post-Budget 2015" file.
Private Residential Tenancies Board Remit
Questions (143)
Michael McGrath
Question:143. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans to put a protocol in place for the operation of rent receivers appointed to residential properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49316/14]
View answerWritten answers
The private rented sector is an increasingly important element of the housing market with the proportion of households in the sector almost doubling in the period 2006-2011. Approximately 1 in 5 households are now renting their home in the private sector.
The grounds upon which a tenancy in the private rented sector may be legally terminated are set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, the implementation of which is overseen by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Act sets out the procedures and notice periods that must be complied with when terminating a tenancy. The Private Residential Tenancies Board is responsible for the resolution of disputes between tenants and landlords (per section 151(1)(a) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004). In circumstances where a receiver is appointed it is essential that the rights of tenants are protected. While the circumstances of each case may vary depending on the terms of the mortgage or charge under which a receiver is appointed, the policies and procedures of banks in appointing receivers cannot affect the statutory or contractual rights of tenants. The tenant continues to enjoy the same security of tenure. The appointment of a receiver does not mean that a tenant loses their rights under the Residential Tenancies Act. The collection of rent is not an activity regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and accordingly, the provisions of the Consumer Protection Code 2012 and other codes issued by the Central Bank would not apply to a receiver carrying out this activity.
Arising out of concerns on this issue the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government met with the Irish Banking Federation (IBF) in relation to the provision of guidance relating to receivers and their responsibilities towards tenants. As a result of that meeting, the IBF published a guide to receivership for residential tenants, which may be viewed at http://www.bpfi.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/BPFI-A_Residential_Tenant_s_Guide_to_Receivership.pdf. The guide explains that where a receiver is appointed to a rented residential property, the rent should be paid directly to the receiver and that a receipt should be given by the receiver to the tenant. The guide also advises tenants to contact the receiver in the first instance regarding requests for repairs to the property. This guide is a useful contribution to a clearer understanding of the relationship between receivers and residential tenants.
However, the interplay between receivership law and the Residential Tenancies Act is complex. In that regard, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is introducing further amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act that will help to bring greater clarity in this area and will be of benefit to tenants and receivers alike. This will provide that where a person is appointed as a receiver to carry out the functions and exercise the powers of a landlord under a tenancy, that person will be considered to be the landlord for the purposes of the 2004 Act. The fundamental objective of any amendments made must be that tenants' rights are protected and that clear and correct information is available to any tenant affected.
Tax Data
Questions (144)
Michael McGrath
Question:144. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money presently owing by businesses to the Revenue Commissioners under each tax heading; the age profile of the arrears; and the steps being taken by the Revenue Commissioners to engage with businesses currently struggling to meet their tax liabilities. [49317/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Revenue that it reports on the tax debt as at 31 March each year.
On 31 March 2014 the total outstanding debt amounted to €1.840 billion. This figure includes €751m of debt that was under appeal to the Appeal Commissioners and €80m of insolvency debt.
The remaining 'Debt Available for Collection' amount of €1.009 billion is regarded as a more accurate indicator of the debt that is due for collection. Of this amount, €441m was under active enforcement and a further €123m was the subject of phased payment arrangements at 31 March 2014.
The following table provides an aged analysis breakdown of the 'Debt Available for Collection' amount due under each tax heading as at 31 March 2014.
Finally, I know that Revenue is very conscious of the difficult financial environment and how it can impact on businesses being timely compliant. For this reason Revenue actively encourages viable businesses experiencing cash-flow or payment difficulties to make contact as soon as such problems start to arise to find an agreed way through the difficulties and restore timely tax payment compliance as quickly as possible. The previously mentioned €123m of debt that is being collected under phased arrangements is a direct result of Revenue's approach in this regard.
Age Analysis of Debt Available for Collection by Year of Assessment as at 31/03/2014
Total €M
|
Year |
Income Tax |
Corporation Tax |
Capital Gains Tax |
Pay As You Earn |
Pay Related Social Insurance |
Universal Social Charge |
Relevant Contract Tax |
Value Added Tax |
Capital Acquisitions Tax |
Total |
|
to 2006 |
84 |
2 |
34 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
11 |
6 |
151 |
|
2007 |
32 |
3 |
18 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
17 |
1 |
81 |
|
2008 |
35 |
7 |
14 |
5 |
8 |
0 |
2 |
34 |
2 |
107 |
|
2009 |
34 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
34 |
1 |
94 |
|
2010 |
41 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
39 |
1 |
109 |
|
2011 |
55 |
3 |
2 |
16 |
13 |
0 |
2 |
21 |
2 |
116 |
|
2012 |
101 |
10 |
5 |
21 |
19 |
0 |
1 |
37 |
5 |
199 |
|
2013 |
4 |
8 |
1 |
28 |
55 |
37 |
2 |
8 |
9 |
152 |
|
Total |
386 |
37 |
82 |
93 |
128 |
37 |
16 |
201 |
28 |
1,009 |
Please note that rounding may affect totals.
Departmental Staff Expenses
Questions (145)
Barry Cowen
Question:145. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments, staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits in kind; if these processes have been revised in view of Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49325/14]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to subsistence claims by - and the refund of all taxi costs to - staff is set out in the following table. As regards staff taxi payments, benefit in kind would only arise in respect of journeys to, or from, the place of employment of an employee where these are on a regular basis and not in compliance with the other criteria set out by the Revenue Commissioners.
|
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (to date) |
|
Subsistence |
€96,050.76 |
€147,063.35 |
€247,047.77 |
€142,653.51 |
|
Taxis |
€14,832.27 |
€27,354.14 |
€40,873.68 |
€28,704.33 |
|
Total |
€110,883.03 |
€174,417.49 |
€287,921.45 |
€171,357.84 |
In addition, the Department has a contracted taxi service based in Dublin and the payments to that company in respect of usage of the service over the years in question are in the following table. An element of the cost relates to the administration cost invoiced. The taxi service is also used occasionally for conveying packages so not all of the costs are attributable to staff usage of the service.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (to date) |
|
€7,870.24 |
€9,218.75 |
€15,803.78 |
€10,974.63 |
The Department's Appropriation Accounts are subject to annual audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Department has not been audited for tax compliance on these payments or other benefits in kind by the Revenue Commissioners. The Department is vigilant in the conduct of its activities in these matters to ensure compliance with taxation legislation and Revenue guidelines.
Departmental Legal Costs
Questions (146)
Barry Cowen
Question:146. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the total legal costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49340/14]
View answerWritten answers
Consultancy costs for the period in question (which includes legal costs) are now provided on my Department's website.
The total legal costs incurred by my Department in 2011, 2012 and 2013 are outlined in the following table:
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Legal Costs |
€1,434,119 |
€3,169,031 |
€2,887,327 |
Some €1.25m has been expended to date in 2014 in respect of transactional, advisory and litigation legal work on the Financial Services programme.
A further €100,000 has been set aside for ongoing cases of an administrative nature of which we expect that some €77,000 will be required.
Public Relations Contracts Expenditure
Questions (147)
Barry Cowen
Question:147. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the total external public relations costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49381/14]
View answerWritten answers
I take it that the Deputy is referring solely to external public relations costs and not to advertising costs that would be incurred by my Department in the normal course of business, such as entries into telephone directories, the placing of advertisements in national newspapers, recruitment advertising, etc.
For the years in question (2011 2014 to date) no such costs were incurred by my Department.
There is no specific allocation for external public relations spend in 2014.
Question No. 148 answered with Question No. 120.
Tax Reliefs Availability
Questions (149)
Terence Flanagan
Question:149. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the various special executive tax breaks that are available to executives in multinationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49390/14]
View answerWritten answers
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP). As the Deputy will be aware, my officials, in conjunction with the Revenue Commissioners, conducted a review of SARP in advance of this year's Budget. The review analysed aspects of the scheme such as the background and rationale for the programme and data available from the Revenue Commissioners including the cost and take-up of the programme. In addition, a public consultation and stakeholder meetings were held. A report was written on the review and this has been published on the Department's website. Having considered the outcome of the review and Ireland's need to attract FDI, in the recent Budget I decided to:
- extend and enhance SARP for a further three years until the end of 2017;
- Remove the upper salary threshold to encourage senior decision makers to come to Ireland;
- Amend the residency requirement to only require Irish tax residency. This was proving to be a barrier to individuals in their year of arrival into Ireland, and also for individuals from countries where they are deemed to be permanently tax resident; and
- Reduce the requirement to have been employed abroad by the same employer for 12 months prior to being assigned to Ireland to 6 months in order to align with recent changes to employment permit legislation.
- I believe these measures are a positive step forward as part of a range of measures, forming the Roadmap to secure Ireland's place as a destination for the best and most successful companies in the world.
The scheme now operates as follows:
- An exemption from income tax on 30% of salary in excess of €75,000 is provided for employees that are assigned for a minimum of 1 year. The exemption is available for a maximum of 5 years. The scheme will operate through the PAYE system as a deduction from income tax, but USC will continue to be payable on the full income amount. Social Insurance will also be payable where the individual is not liable to it in their home country.
- The assignee must have been employed by the company in a country with which Ireland has a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) or a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) immediately prior to the assignment to Ireland, and must be tax resident in Ireland in the relevant tax year in order to qualify for SARP.
- One trip home per year is allowed tax free, where paid for by the employer. No other day-to-day expenses will be permitted free of income tax. In recognition of differences in curriculums taught and languages spoken by the assignee and/or their children being brought to Ireland, vouched school fees of up to €5,000 per annum per child where paid for by the employer on behalf of an employee are allowed free of benefit-in-kind taxation.
- Share-based remuneration can also qualify for the exemption and there are no restrictions on where the income can be remitted.
- Any assignee that avails of the scheme up until 31 December 2017 will have access to the relief for the period of their assignment, up to the maximum 5 years.
The Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to job creation. A key part of this focus is to attract FDI into Ireland. It is important that Ireland can attract and retain the decision makers and senior executives who make such investment decisions. I believe that this measure will support the export led recovery in the economy by maintaining Ireland's competitiveness for attracting FDI. The Deputy will be aware of the job creation that results from such investments.
Tax Code
Questions (150)
Bernard Durkan
Question:150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the procedure to be followed to wind up a business as a sole trader in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49414/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person concerned must prepare, or have prepared on his behalf, accounts in respect of his business for the period covering from the final date of his last set of accounts prepared to date of cessation of his business.
He should also submit a return of income (or returns of income if the final accounts are for a period greater than 12 months), for the appropriate tax year(s).
In addition the person concerned should complete and return to the Revenue Commissioners a form TRCN 1 to enable the Revenue Commissioners to cancel his registration for Income Tax. A form TRCN 1 has been sent directly to the person concerned.
In relation to the position of employees, if any, the person concerned should also make contact with the Department of Social Protection.
Flood Relief Schemes Funding
Questions (151)
Terence Flanagan
Question:151. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide more funding to areas (details supplied) in Dublin 13 and County Dublin regarding flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49046/14]
View answerWritten answers
It is matter for Fingal County Council (FCC) in the first instance to investigate and address flooding issues in the County. It is understood that the recent flooding in the Howth and Sutton areas was due primarily to the inability of the local surface water drainage infrastructure to deal with the very intense rainfall that occurred. Any flooding resulting from inadequate storm water drainage capacity in Howth and Sutton is a matter for the local authority and not the Office of Public Works (OPW).
In October 2013, on foot of an approach from FCC, the OPW agreed to fund the engagement of consultants by FCC to develop proposals for flood defence measures which were recommended in outline form in the report of the Fingal-East Meath Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study. These measures include works on Strand Road to address flooding affecting a number of areas including Sutton. The consultants are to further progress the proposals, including undertaking a full assessment of their economic viability. It is a matter for the Council to progress the matter and it is understood that work in this regard is ongoing in the Council.
The OPW has provided funding to FCC to repair coastal storm damage which occurred in early 2014. These works were undertaken at Strand Road, Sutton. The works are complete and total funding of €44,356 has been drawn-down for the project.
Sutton and Howth North is one of the Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) within the Eastern CFRAM Study and is being assessed for coastal flood risk. An integrated and prioritised set of measures to address flood risk within the Study area will be developed by the consultants and these measures will be set out in the Flood Risk Management Plan. Currently draft flood maps are being produced under the Study and a Public Consultation Day will be held in Sutton and Howth North in early 2015. This will be advertised locally. Further information on the Study is available on the website www.eastcframstudy.ie.
Departmental Reports
Questions (152)
Seán Fleming
Question:152. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has published its annual report for 2013. [48776/14]
View answerWritten answers
Work on an annual report for 2013 for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform under the Public Service Management Act 1997 is well advanced and it will be published as soon as possible.
Public Sector Staff Recruitment
Questions (153)
Robert Troy
Question:153. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his Department's policy for recruiting persons with a disability into the public and civil service. [48821/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that in recent years the position regarding opportunities for employment in the public service generally have been limited by the moratorium on recruitment and promotion which was announced on the 27th March, 2009.
In Budget 2015, I was pleased to be able to announce that there will be a targeted programme of recruitment into the Civil Service to address service needs and a shortfall in key skills commencing in late 2014 and continuing during 2015. In respect of the Civil Service for which I have overarching responsibility, the Deputy may wish to be aware that a number of open competitions have already taken place or are in process including:
- Clerical Officer with an expectation of approximately 300 recruits
- Executive Officer ICT Specialist
- Executive Officer General Service
- Administrative Officer - Graduate Economist and Graduate Recruit General Service.
I also expect competitions to take place in the first quarter of 2015 for Assistant Principal, both open and inter-departmental, and an open competition for Principal Officer.
In respect of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities, my officials are working with the National Disability Authority (NDA) on a number of initiatives relating to recruitment of people with disabilities. These include working with the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) on a review of the Code of Practice on recruitment and with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on recruitment models to ensure that both fully support the employment of people with disabilities in the public service.
Regarding commitments under the Disability Act 2005, a 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities in the public service remains in place, notwithstanding the moratorium.
Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies
- to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities
- to comply with any statutory Code of Practice
- to meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities
- to report every year on achievement of these obligations.
The NDA reports on compliance with this 3% target. In its latest published report in 2012, the NDA noted that in the Civil Service, the area of the public service for which I have direct responsibility, 4.2% of staff employed had disabilities.
In relation to other areas of the public service, each Minister is responsible for compliance with and reporting on the target set in the Disability Act 2005 for the employment of persons with disabilities in public bodies under his or her aegis.
A copy of the latest NDA report can be found at: http://nda.ie/Publications/Employment/Employment-of-people-with-disabilities-in-the-public-service/Reports-on-compliance-with-public-sector-jobs-target/.
A number of Departments and Offices in the Civil Service are participants in the Willing Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programme which is a graduate work experience programme aimed at persons with disabilities. This programme is not subject to the moratorium. Details of WAM can be found here: http://www.ahead.ie/wam.
Finally, the civil and public service is an equal opportunities employer and all recruitment campaigns are conducted in strict compliance with the Codes of Practice set out by the CPSA. The Codes include the Code of Practice governing the External and Internal Appointments of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Irish Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies.
Coast Guard Services
Questions (154)
Brendan Griffin
Question:154. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the contracts will be signed in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48915/14]
View answerWritten answers
Subject to confirmation of funding from the Irish Coastguard Service, it is expected that a contract for works at Waterville Coastguard Station will be placed early in 2015.
Flood Relief Schemes Status
Questions (155, 156)
Brendan Smith
Question:155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the drainage-flood relief works that are under way by the Office of Public Works in County Monaghan in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48989/14]
View answerBrendan Smith
Question:156. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals the Office of Public Works has to carry out drainage-flood relief work in County Monaghan during 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48995/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
The Office of Public Works has responsibility for approximately 11,500 km of arterial drainage channels nationally, with about 2,200 km of these being subject to routine maintenance each year across the country as part of an ongoing programme of arterial drainage maintenance of schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts. This work is carried out to ensure that the State's investment in the Arterial Drainage schemes continues to provide the intended benefits. If maintenance is not carried out then the water conveyance capacity of most channels deteriorate over a period of years. Drainage maintenance works have been undertaken by the OPW East Region in Co Monaghan in 2014 and are programmed to take place in 2015 also.
It is a matter for Monaghan County Council in the first instance to identify and address more minor or localised flooding issues in the county. The Council can apply for funding to undertake works to address such problems under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received is assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. Any work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the Local Authority itself. It is also open to Monaghan County Council to carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources.
The OPW approved funding for minor works at Ballybay, Dunsinaire, Threemilehouse and Lisnagunnion and these projects were progressed by Monaghan County Council in 2014 and will continue in 2015. Applications have been submitted by Monaghan County Council for funding for minor works at Edengilrevy and at Lough Muchno, Castleblayney. The OPW will be replying to the Council on these shortly.
Three locations in Co Monaghan - Ballybay, Carrickmacross and Monaghan Town - were identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment as locations where flood risk was potentially significant. They were therefore designated as Areas for Further Assessment under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme, which is focused on 300 areas of potentially significant risk, nationally, will produce detailed predictive flood mapping and identify appropriate flood risk management measures and plans. Draft predictive flood maps, for Ballybay, Carrickmacross and Monaghan Town are currently being produced by engineering consultants undertaking the North Western - Neagh Bann CFRAM Study, on behalf of the Office of Public Works, in partnership with Monaghan County Council. The flood maps will be subject to public consultation during the coming months, details of which will be advertised locally and on the Study website www.northwestcframstudy.ie. The next phase in the CFRAM Study will be the identification of appropriate flood risk mitigation options, following which, Flood Risk Management Plans will be prepared in 2015.
Flood Relief Schemes Status
Questions (157, 158)
Brendan Smith
Question:157. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals the Office of Public Works has to carry out drainage-flood relief work in County Cavan during 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48996/14]
View answerBrendan Smith
Question:158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the drainage-flood relief works that are under way by the Office of Public Works in County Cavan in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48997/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.
The Office of Public Works has responsibility for approximately 11,500 km of arterial drainage channels nationally, with about 2,200 km of these being subject to routine maintenance each year across the country as part of an ongoing programme of arterial drainage maintenance of schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts. This work is carried out to ensure that the State's investment in the Arterial Drainage schemes continues to provide the intended benefits. If maintenance is not carried out then the water conveyance capacity of most channels deteriorate over a period of years. Drainage maintenance works have been undertaken by the OPW East Region in Co. Cavan in 2014 and are programmed to take place in 2015 also.
It is a matter for Cavan County Council in the first instance to identify and address more minor or localised flooding issues in the county. It is open to the Council to apply for funding to undertake such works under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. Any work for which funding is sought will be carried out by the Local Authority. It is also open to Cavan County Council to carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. There were no minor works projects under way in 2014 for which OPW had approved or provided funding. There are currently no applications for funding in OPW from Cavan County Council under the Minor Works scheme.
Two locations in Co Cavan, Ballyconnell and Cavan Town, were identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment as locations where flood risk was potentially significant. They were therefore designated as Areas for Further Assessment under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme, which is focused on 300 areas of potentially significant risk, nationally, will produce detailed predictive flood mapping and identify appropriate flood risk management measures and plans. Draft predictive flood maps, for Ballyconnell and Cavan Town, are currently being produced by engineering consultants undertaking the North Western Neagh-Bann CFRAM Study, on behalf of the Office of Public Works, in partnership with Cavan County Council. The flood maps will be subject to public consultation during the coming months, details of which will be advertised locally and on the Study website www.northwestcframstudy.ie. The next phase in the CFRAM Study will be the identification of appropriate flood risk mitigation options, following which, Flood Risk Management Plans will be prepared in 2015.
Departmental Programmes
Questions (159)
Terence Flanagan
Question:159. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the priorities in his Department for the remainder of the term of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49028/14]
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In answer to the Deputy's question my priorities for the remainder of my term in office are consistent with the priorities outlined in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 published by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton on Friday 11 July 2014.
In the area of responsible and sustainable management of the public finances in addition to working towards maintaining the current stable economic environment my Department completed the comprehensive review of expenditure ahead of this year's Budget in order to prioritise expenditure allocations for the coming years.
A capital review was also carried out in advance of the budget to ensure that the available resources focus on the key social and economic priorities of the Government.
To aid and assist the rebuilding of trust in politics and public institutions my Department has already introduced significant political reforms. My Department completed the enactment of the Freedom of Information legislation in October 2014 with the Lobbyists Bill expected early in 2015. I also intend to publish legislation to consolidate local and national ethics requirements and give effect to the recommendations of the tribunals.
My Department will also assist the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in the analysis and development of financial options in the area of social housing.
The Civil Service Renewal Plan was launched recently and the ongoing process of public service reform also remains a priority for me and my Department.
My Department and I will continue to work towards protecting and enhancing peace in Northern Ireland and will continue to develop the North-South institutions.
In addition to the above I intend to continue to progress the relevant commitments under the Programme for Government for which my Department is responsible.